Food For Parkinson’s Disease

Helpful Food For Parkinson’s

Here are some guidelines on which foods help best manage Parkinsons disease.

• Vary your food. Eating different types of food will ensure that you consume the essential vitamins and minerals that you need to manage Parkinsons disease.
• Increase your fiber intake. Consuming high-fiber vegetables and other food aids digestion, eases constipation, and helps you feel full longer.
• Eat more whole grain foods such as brown rice, pasta, whole wheat bread, oatmeal, or crackers.

Foods To Avoid When Constipated

Constipation is a common problem for people with Parkinsons disease, often due to decreased gastric motility, a slowing of the natural movement of food from the stomach into the intestines.1,3

Foods that may make constipation worse include low-fiber choices such as:

• white rice
• persimmons
• red meat, such as beef, hot dogs, bacon, or sausage

Beverages to avoid include anything with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, or sodas. Alcohol is not recommended because it dehydrates your body, which can make constipation worse.

Diet Tips For Parkinsons & Constipation

Constipation is a very common non-motor symptom of Parkinsons. It can affect your quality of life and impact the effectiveness of certain Parkinsons medications. If you are straining to empty your bowels or your bowel motions are hard and dry, you may be constipated. The good news is that dietary changes can help! So lets explore some diet tips for managing and preventing constipation.

Don’t Miss: Does Sam Waterston Have Parkinsons

Foods And Fad Diets To Avoid With Parkinsons

While eating a Mediterranean diet can help with Parkinsons, you need to make sure you are also avoiding the foods and fad diets that are detrimental to your health and may exacerbate your Parkinsons symptoms.

Below is a list of some foods you should avoid eating or limit the amount you eat for Parkinsons:

• Hard to chew foods

What Are The Treatments For Managing Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsons disease is currently incurable, but it is easily possible to live a quality life even after the onset of the disease. This disorder is currently incurable treatment can only manage the symptoms. Also, no standard treatment is available, and it depends on the patients condition.

Medication and surgeries are practiced for managing disease, but none of them can reverse the effect of the disease. Moreover, a healthy lifestyle comprising a healthy diet and exercise can also help the disease.

Medications can help increase the dopamine production of the brain and aid in controlling non-motor symptoms. Levodopa, Amantadine, and Dopamine agonists are mainly used to treat Parkinsons disease.

Patients who do not get a beneficial effect of medication are recommended to have surgery. During the surgery, the doctor puts a small electrical device in the chest region and connects electrodes implanted in the brainthese help in controlling the motor symptoms of Parkinsons disease by stimulating specific brain areas.

You May Like: Pfnca Wellness Programs

Vitamin B12 And Folate Deficiency

Some people who take levodopa may have lower levels of vitamin B12 and vitamin B9 . Symptoms of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency can include pins and needles , a sore, red tongue, mouth ulcers and disturbed vision.

If youre worried about any symptoms youre experiencing, you should speak to your specialist or Parkinsons nurse.

Eating a well-balanced diet will give you a good amount of vitamins and minerals.

For many vitamin and mineral supplements, theres no clear scientific evidence they have any health benefits .

So, if you feel you need more of a particular vitamin or mineral, it is advisable to try to eat more of the foods containing it, rather than to buy expensive vitamin and mineral supplements.

You also need to be aware that some vitamins, when taken in large doses, can have side effects.

Some supplements, for example vitamin B6 and iron supplements, may also affect the absorption of your Parkinson’s medication.

Before purchasing any ‘over the counter’ mineral and vitamin supplements from chemists or health food shops, consult your GP, specialist, Parkinson’s nurse or registered dietitian for advice.

Managing Symptoms With Nutrition

Constipation

• Eat foods high in fibre, such as wholegrain breads or bran cereals, fruits and vegetables, also legumes such as beans, peas and lentils.
• Increase your fluids to make sure your fibre intake works well.
• Try to be physically active each day.

Poor appetite, nausea and vomiting

• Have small frequent meals.
• Take medications with a small meal or snack .
• Drink some ginger ale it may help to reduce nausea.

Heartburn, reflux and bloating

• Limit or avoid alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks.
• Sit upright at meals and for 45-60 minutes after eating.
• Limit or avoid foods that may trigger symptoms such as spices, peppermint, chocolate, citrus juices, onions, garlic and tomatoes.
• Avoid using straws and sucking on hard candy to reduce gas and bloating.

Problems swallowing food or thin fluids

• See your doctor if you have problems swallowing foods or liquids. You may need a swallowing assessment.
• Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian. The dietitian can suggest some ways to modify the foods you eat and the fluids you drink so that they are right for you.

Problems moving jaw, lips, tongue

• Eat soft foods, like cooked cereals, soft scrambled eggs, gravies, sauces, thick soups, ground meats or soft casseroles.
• Try mincing your foods.

• Allow enough time to eat.
• Have small portions and pre-cut foods or finger foods.
• Eat in a quiet setting.

Orthostatic hypotension

• Reduce carbohydrate intake, especially single sugars.
• Increase intake of salt.

Also Check: Diseases Similar To Parkinsons

Taking Your Drugs And Food Together

Levodopa is the best medication for Parkinsonâs. Ideally, you should take it on an empty stomach, about 30 minutes before eating or at least one hour after a meal. But that can cause nausea in some people. Your doctor may prescribe something else or a different mix of drugs, which may not always make the nausea go away. In that case, your doctor may recommend you take medication for your side effects.

Also, ask your doctor if you should cut down on protein. In rare cases, a high-protein diet can make levodopa work less well.

For People Living With Parkinsons Disease Exercise May Be One Of The Most Powerful Tools To Fight Some Symptoms And To Slow The Diseases Degenerative Nature

In addition to maintaining overall physical and emotional health and well being, exercise tends to minimize some of the primary and secondary symptoms of early onset Parkinsons. Though exercise is not a cure, it can help people living with Parkinsons disease maintain muscle tone and function, remain flexible, and improve overall mobility.

While the precise role exercise plays in delaying the progression of the disease is still being researched, studies consistently report that those with Parkinsons Disease who exercise regularly tend to do better than those who do not. When it comes to exercise, being younger has its advantages. Younger people are usually stronger and better able to maintain a regular exercise program over time.

Many young people with Parkinsons Disease have found that they are able to combine their exercise with grass roots fundraising efforts. From the well-known walk-a-thons held across the country to the young men and women who have walked marathons to raise funds, finding sponsors who will cheer you on every step or mile can help you remain committed to an exercise plan.

Recommended Reading: Parkinson Bicycle Cleveland Clinic

Nlrp3 Inflammasome Activation Mechanism

There is a substantial amount of data demonstrating the importance of the NLRP3 inflammasome in PD. Recent post mortem studies in PD patients show that the NLRP3 inflammasome is significantly upregulated in the SN of PD patients . This upregulation in NLRP3 was also observed in mouse models of PD and AD and it appears to be important in disease pathogenesis. Specifically, inhibition of NLRP3 protects against neurodegeneration in all rodent models of PD tested including injection of pre-formed -Syn fibrils , rotenone, and MPTP models . Similarly, knocking out NLRP3 in an AD animal model protects mice from developing AD-like behavior and brain pathology . Thus, activated NLRP3 inflammasome appears to be a key driver of neuroinflammation in PD . In addition, NLRP3 levels also appear to increase with other factors such as age and consumption of a Western diet, it could be that the increase in NLRP3/IL-1b reduces the resiliency of the brain to respond to a secondary insult such as gut-derived endotoxemia from microbiota dysbiosis and/or intestinal barrier dysfunction .

Visit Your Doctor More Often

The last and the most important advice we could give is to see your doctor often. Talk to your doctor about your conditions and figure out whether you need to make some changes in your diet to improve your symptoms.

Disclaimer: The information shared here should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions presented here are not intended to treat any health conditions. For your specific medical problem, consult with your health care provider.

Read Also: Parkinson’s Double Vision

Diet As A Prevention Or Treatment For Pd

Based on these data it is clear that there are several mechanisms by which intestinal bacteria, bacterial products, or bacterial metabolites and intestinal hormones can influence neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative processes. Therefore, it seems logical that dietary interventions targeted at modifying the intestinal microbiota structure and/or function and intestinal peptides may modify PD disease pathogenesis. Indeed, Hippocrates’ said: Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food . Diet has recently gained importance as a risk factor for developing PD and also as a potential therapeutic approach to treat PD . Below is a summary of dietary interventions that may be useful in the prevention and/or treatment of PD as well as the mechanisms by which this benefit may be conferred on the brain.

Services To Help Those With Parkinsons

While there is no specific diet for Parkinsons disease, it is important to maintain good overall health by eating a variety of foods. Individuals with PD may have trouble following a healthy diet. An in-home care agency can help prepare and serve nutritious meals, assist with feeding, and help with cleanup after meals. If you are a loved one is suffering from Parkinsons disease and require services, contact an in-home care agency today.

Couples Care: Keeping Relationships Whole

One guide you might find helpful:

Selecting an in-home caregiver? Learn why couples care is an affordable solution for families.

Dont Miss: What Does Parkinsons Look Like

Also Check: Zhichan Capsule

Fad Diets To Avoid Or Be Skeptical Of:

There are many fad diets out there that someone with Parkinsons should be skeptical of such as the Caveman diet, Carnivore diet, Whole30 diet and many more. While these new diets claim to be the best thing since sliced bread many of them are unsustainable and not healthy for you in the long run.

Something else to watch out for are diets specific for Parkinsons. Thats right, you are reading a Parkinsons diet blog warning you of the dangers of Parkinsons specific diets. We do this because there is a lot of small studies out their claiming a specific food or nutrient will help with your Parkinsons while the truth is there really isnt any strong evidence for any of it. Worse yet, some of these foods or nutrients when taken in excess quantities can do more harm than good. The only real evidence-based diets that are shown to be good for Parkinsons are general healthy diets that work for everyone regardless of Parkinsons. The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest diets out there, which is why we recommend it to those with Parkinsons.

*In the past this blog has recommended specific healthy nutrients or foods for Parkinsons, we have since updated the blog to better reflect scientific consensus

Basic Concepts Of The Mediterranean Diet

The components of a Mediterranean diet include:

• Eat mainlyplant-based foods, such as a variety of fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, nuts, and legumes, including lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas.
• Consume a small amount of low-fat protein, either chicken or fatty fish, such as salmon, albacore tuna, or mackerel, a few times per week.
• Limit red meat to a few times a month.
• Avoid salt and instead flavor your meals with spices and herbs.
• Drink red wine in moderation .
• Replace butter with a healthier fat like extra virgin olive oil.
• Limit dairy, including cream, milk, and ice cream.

Also Check: Protein And Parkinsons Medication

Read Also: On Off Phenomenon

Constipation And Hydration In Parkinsons Disease

As Parkinsons disease can cause constipation, the Parkinsons Foundation recommends a diet featuring 20 to 25 grams of daily fiber to maintain bowel health.

Its really important for overall health to keep bowels moving, Subramanian says. We recommend a diet with a lot of vegetables and as much fiber as you can take. Foods that are high in prebiotics, including fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchee, can also help.

Some Parkinsons disease medications dont work as well when taken with fermented foods, however, so check with your doctor before incorporating them into your diet.

Proper hydration is also important for everyone, including people who have Parkinsons disease. Try to drink six to eight glasses of water a day and take your medications with a full glass of water, the Parkinsons Foundation notes. It may help your body break down the medication more efficiently.

Hydration helps with blood pressure and constipation, Subramanian notes. We recommend our Parkinsons patients drink 40 ounces of water a day. Thats just water, not coffee or tea or other drinks. This can also help improve digestion.

If drinking water leads to urinary urgency, try eating foods with a high water content like celery, butternut squash, grapefruit, strawberries, and watermelon instead.

Recommended Reading: Parkinsons Donations In Memory Of

What Can I Do To Help With Swallowing

Make sure you are comfortable at meal times. The following suggestions may help make it easier to eat:

• Take your time and eat in a comfortable, quiet place.
• If you feel you are taking too long and food is getting cold, consider eating smaller, more frequent meals and snacks, or food that is easier to eat.
• You can buy heated plates to keep food warm for longer or consider serving smaller portions so that a second portion can be kept warm or reheated if its safe to do so.
• Posture is important to trigger a good swallow. Try eating sitting upright in your chair.
• Try planning your meals for when your medication is working. Avoid trying to eat large meals when you are ‘off’.
• If you wear dentures try to ensure they fit comfortably. Ask for a review by your dentist if you are concerned.
• Try to eat when you are less tired, this may mean moving your main meal to lunchtime rather than in the evening.

Also Check: Sam Waterston Parkinson’s

What Are The Main Risk Factors And Causes Of Parkinsons Disease

Primarily, the disease starts after the 60s, but the onset may be after the 50s or even before. The reason for this disease occurring at a young age is often genetic or family history, but it is unnecessary in all cases. The exact cause of the reduction of dopamine due to nerve cell death in a specific brain area is not entirely known.

But, it is considered that a fusion of genetic and environmental factors along with lifestyle are the major contributing factors to the disease. The contributing percentage of each factor varies significantly in different people.

Age is the foremost risk factor for the onset of disease. Young adults rarely suffer from the diseases, but if it occurs before the 60s, they may result from some gene mutations. Studies reveal that nearly 10-15% of Parkinsons cases are caused due to genetics.

After analyzing the DNA of several patients, scientists concluded that several gene mutations were seen. These mutations are inherited from one ancestor to their offspring.

The interaction of genes with the environment is complex because some environmental factors increase the chances of disease while others may lower the risk of suffering from the disease. Any severe head injury may increase the chances of the disease. Plus, exposure to heavy metals and pesticides are found to be strong links causing the disease.

Nutrition Tip #: Get Enough Protein

The right amount of protein is important because we lose muscle faster as we age, so we need to make sure were eating enough to prevent even faster muscle loss. For people with Parkinsons disease getting enough protein can be even more challenging if limiting protein when taking Levodopa to maximize the medications benefits. Protein needs are based on many factors, including age, gender, activity level and the timing of when to eat protein differs depending on types and timing of medications. Protein is also important because it can be a good source of B vitamins and in particular vitamin B 12, which is often found to be low in people who have Parkinsons disease. Include a variety of protein foods, like lean beef, chicken, fish and eggs, along with dairy and plant-based protein . Talking with your doctor or a registered dietitian can help you determine how much protein is right for you and when throughout the day is best to eat protein.

Recommended Reading: Cleveland Clinic Parkinson’s Bicycle Study 2017

Maintaining A Nutritious Diet For Parkinsons Disease

While you already know that proper nutrition is important for overall health and functioning, a well-maintained and balanced diet for Parkinsons disease is a must in order to help manage symptoms. In addition to motor symptoms, people with PD may develop symptoms that make it hard to eat, such as difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, and reduced gastric mobility. Medications used to treat PD can also cause unfavorable symptoms, such as nausea, dry mouth, appetite loss, vomiting, and fatigue.

Ideally, people with PD should increase their fiber intake to avoid symptoms such as dehydration and constipation, while boosting their energy levels. Maintaining a balanced diet for Parkinsons disease that includes foods from all food groups including vegetables, fruit, grains, dairy, and grains is key. It is also important for individuals with PD to drink plenty of water at least 51 ounces a day. In addition to loading up on fiber-rich foods like apples, broccoli, peas, whole-grain breads, and cereals, PD sufferers should cut down on salt, sugar, and saturated fats from dairy and meat. If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor about how it could affect the effectiveness of your medications.

Recommended Reading: Stem Cells For Parkinsons Disease Therapy